Raiders dump another third-round pick

The new regime in Oakland continues to break with its not-too-distant past, by cutting Al Davis draft picks.

Specifically, the Raiders had two third-round picks in 2011. And they’ve now cut both of them.

Cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke, the fastest man in last year’s Scouting Combine, was dumped earlier this month. Now, tackle Joseph Barksdale reportedly has been dumped, according to Adam Caplan. As pointed out by Jerry McDonald of Ibabuzz.com, Barksdale was inactive for all three of the team’s 2012 regular-season games.

The Raiders also have cut 2011 fourth-round defensive back Chimdi Chekwa.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, a third-round pick in the 2011 supplemental draft, has to be wondering whether he’s next.

As for Barksdale: He was a symptom of Al’s later years. Al saw an athletic 325-lb SEC starter, and didn’t care that Barks had feet of concrete and couldn’t handle an outside speed-rush to save his life.

Please, if this isn’t an example of anti-Raider bias I don’t know what is. Other 2011 draft class players: Chekwa on the practice squad, Wisnewski and Denarious Moore are starters, and Gordon, Ausberry and Jones all play regularly either on the offense or special teams. So Al Davis doesn’t get credit for drafting Moore and Wisnewski?

Another CB let go – surely Reggie doesn’t think Huff and Lee are the answer. Collectively that position is like “Toast II, the reincarnation of Elvis Patterson”. If the DL isn’t in Mannings jock from the start he will exploit that glaring weakness all day.

DVD and Chekwa should have never been cut. Those were “Big Reg” mistakes, not Al Davis mistakes.

Barksdale looked good at first, but either his heart wasn’t in it this year, he’s a bad fit for the ZBS, or probably both.

And Taiwan Jones is being ridiculously underutilized. Guy could be one of the most explosive players in the game, but he’s riding the pine because he bobbled two balls, which he recovered, in the opener.